Senators, Penguins surge into playoffs at the last (AFP)

Jamie Benn’s brilliance was on full display, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators clinched playoff berths and the Boston Bruins kissed their chances goodbye on a thrilling last day of the regular NHL season. All 30 teams were in action Saturday — which was a good thing for the Senators, who completed an improbable comeback to reach the playoffs, and for Dallas Stars’ Benn, who exploded for four points to claim the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s top scorer with 87. Ottawa’s rookie tandem of forward Mark Stone and goaltender Andrew Hammond helped the Senators to claim a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.